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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

working 9 to 5

so while catching up on blogs and mail i have read several things that have me going hmmm. as you all know i am a SAHM, some days this is easier than others. one of my biggest pet peeves about my current occupation is the "mommy wars". who came up with that crap? most of my friends who have kiddos, well they work outside the home as well as inside it. does my lack of a paycheck make me a less valuable commodity to the world? I'm not begging for comments about "what an amazing choice you made". i honestly want to know why it is assumed that all "soccer moms" are vacuous dingbats? seriously folks i have a bachelor's degree, and i graduated with honors. it is interesting because i have never thought less of a mom who works outside her home. i also don't think that they are superior just because they made that choice. i read an article yesterday about how to handle the question "you're still at home?" this is of course after all of your dear darlings have headed into the world of academia. i am not as brave/gifted/crazy as some of my SAHM compatriots who choose to home school. seriously i wasn't gifted in that field. i don't volunteer at our church for children's teaching or nursery duty either, in case you wondered. i love my kiddos and adore being home with them, but i just don't think I'm cut out for the teacher biz. so why is it assumed that you are needed less at home when your kids go to school. does the laundry suddenly do itself? do meals spontaneously cook themselves? I'm kind of excited about the extra time i will have to do things like craft with out interruption, garden in the morning when it's cool, exercise, or read a book. i know it sounds a bit selfish, but hey maybe that will be the paycheck I've been waiting for. the wee one stirs and is demanding her father who happens to be in pampa this morning.

6 comments:

Sweetflutterbys3 said...

I have done both, worked while I had kids and been a SAHM for 5 years now. I think my job at home is ten times harder than going to work. At work, I could complete conversations, concentrate on a project and feel a since of accomplishment at the end of the day. And people took me seriously. At home I work for no pay, get no personal space and I work 24/7 with no thanks. It's a no brainer for me which one is harder! But which one do I prefer to do? Stay at home. I love my kids and the sacrifice is worth it.

Leah of RamFam said...

I agree with Flutterbys! I dream of the vacation it would be if I were back at work. Adult conversation ... MMM... And a paycheck ...Double MMMM....
Oh, and I've always said that teenagers need parents, especially one at home, more than toddlers. I hate it when people assume that once your kids are school aged the parenting is over. As if the government is a better parent than I, sheesh!?! Can't stand socialism!!! NO, I don't socialize my kid, I capitalize them! Hee hee! I just made that up in this silly rant I'm having on YOUR blog. Gotta love in-laws, eh?
Thanks for letting me clear my pipes. I feel much better now. ;)
Love ya!

mzzterry said...

Hot button issue with me, as I am now a SAHM, with no kids at home! So now I call myself a SAHWife! My days are filled with activities, I can not imagine when I would have the time for a "real" job! I only work 1 1/2 days a week, which is just enough to give me a bit of discretionary cash in my pocket with my days free for crafting, laundry, cleaning, ministering,reading, writing, photography, painting,writing,ironing......and on and on. I realize most families think they can't make it on one salary, but I am blessed with a husband that values my time at home more than money in our pockets.

I know I live a blessed life. I am thankful. I also know it isn't for everyone. My daughters would go stir crazy if they didn't have outside jobs. But thats okay. Diversity is the spice of life!

Unknown said...

I have been both and personally I don' think that it should be an issue for anyone to debate.

I feel that it is a deeply personal choice...like whether to become a vegetarian or not...you do what you do because of what you may or may not need to have in your life.

Good for you on voicing your belief...do you and don't worry about what anyone else has to say about YOUR situation...because, umm...it's your life and no one elses.

You are so loved!!

Anonymous said...

I love my daughter, and I loved being home with her the first 12 weeks. The first couple of days back at work were rough, but it's good now. Let me tell you, there are days when I am so happy to go to work, no teething 11 month to deal with, no cat puke...yeah nice. Then there are days when I wish that I was home with her. Since my hubby is a stay at home hubby I get the opposite, why aren't you at home? Why doesn't your hubby work? Seriously, folks it's none of your business. You do what's best for you child(ren), family, and self.

Anonymous said...

I love my daughter, and I loved being home with her the first 12 weeks. The first couple of days back at work were rough, but it's good now. Let me tell you, there are days when I am so happy to go to work, no teething 11 month to deal with, no cat puke...yeah nice. Then there are days when I wish that I was home with her. Since my hubby is a stay at home hubby I get the opposite, why aren't you at home? Why doesn't your hubby work? Seriously, folks it's none of your business. You do what's best for you child(ren), family, and self.